The Real Deal Miami

Trump faces resistance for proposed Crandon takeover

The Donald doesn’t take no for an answer — but a county commissioner is looking to change that.

A year after Donald Trump submitted an unsolicited plan to upgrade and manage the Crandon golf course in Miami-Dade, commission chairman Jean Monestime has reportedly denounced the proposal and advised his fellow commissioners to do the same.

Trump’s plan is to put $10 million of upgrades into the golf course, which he called aging and neglected, the Miami Herald reported.

That includes designing a new layout for the course and replacing its bunkers, fairways, greens, tees and clubhouse over the span of 18 months. Trump would also remove a large portion of the course’s mangrove trees, which block its views of Biscayne Bay.

The end goal would be to revive the course’s restaurant as a destination spot and put Crandon on the map for professional golf circuits, according to the Miami Herald. In return, Trump’s hospitality group would receive a 99-year management deal to operate the course, though it would remain open to the public.

The golf course, opened in 1972, is described by challengers of Trump’s plan as popular and highly ranked in the nation.

Trump’s ownership of the Trump National Doral golf course has been contentious: both the course’s neighbors and the city of Doral have raised complaints, with noise complaints and a wall of trees being topics of controversy for the emphatic TV star and real estate magnate.

Commissioners will vote on a resolution to reject the plan next week. [Miami Herald] — Sean Stewart-Muniz